Posted by JonW on June 26, 2002, at 7:24:53
In reply to Re: Memorial (Re: sar thread)- a rebuke of sorts » JonW, posted by wendy b. on June 26, 2002, at 0:32:04
> >Let me quote a section of Kay Jamison's book "Night Falls Fast" which references some guidlines developed by the CDC (I think) for the media when reporting suicides. Tell me what you think:
>
> OK, we're not a news or media organization here, we're a mental health board for support and education. We don't "broadcast" and affect the way millions of people understand suicide.Hi Wendy,
I wasn't suggesting that we're the news or that we should follow the guidlines given to the media. I just wanted to raise the question as it may or may not apply to us.
> I absolutely HATE that term: suicide "contagion"! Like it's leprosy or
Ugh! I know what you mean! You've talked me down from suicide, now go wash your hands! ;-)
> OK, it MAY suggest to people who are susceptible that it's honoring the person, and it may NOT. One idea on that subject is as valid as another, in my experience. AND, to go a step
I didn't mean to take a side on this issue, and I'm not sure that I have. I just wanted to raise a question that could be important. I believe I've done that. I'm glad you, me, and others have posted on this thread so that Dr. Bob is urged to think before blindly doing anything... just in case.
>further, maybe we ARE in the mood to have a memorial "honoring" Sar. I honor her every day by thinking of her and wincing at the loss and wishing she were here to brighten my life again, in the unique way that she had. Yeah, I don't
I'm sorry I didn't know Sar. She sounds like a wonderful person. I think that a memorial is an absolutely wonderful idea, and I hope it helps you come to terms with your loss.
>think we shouldn't HONOR her. I think we should. And it wouldn't be for the way she died, it would be for the way she lived...
Memorials are for the living, for mourning someone's death -- no matter how they died. However, if there is *any* reason to think this could be done in an irresponsible way, that should at least be considered.
>Acknowledging the fact of suicide is, to me, a more helpful way of dealing with the subject than hiding from it and pretending it doesn't exist. We show that's true here every day.
It's definitely better to talk about something than not, and that's why I started this discussion -- even if it's about, in a way, *not* talking about something. I'm open minded enough to entertain these kinds of thoughts, and from what I've read, you and many others are as well. For this reason and many others, I love being a part of this site.
>think we want to glorify suicide. But remembering and honoring the person could never be harmful to the P-Babble community, if it's handled with care and thoughtfulness.
This is my opinion on the issue, and I couldn't have said it better myself.
> Lastly, I'd like to mention is that Sar didn't believe commiting suicide was a crime or a horrible act; she said that she felt it was a right that shouldn't be taken away from us.
I have to say, I don't disagree with this. And certainly not if you don't have a good prognosis. I agree with physician assisted suicide, and after all, what's the difference between a mental and physical illness? Anyway, a whole different discussion altogether as you know!
> Maybe, in order to honor Sar appropriately, we'd have to contemplate these thoughts, rather than pretend they don't exist. Maybe we'd have to challenge the assumption that we all agree suicide is "wrong." Maybe she's in a better
Very interesting. My opinion is that suicide isn't wrong in all cases, and I don't even think "wrong" is the right word -- no pun intended ;-) I think religion put this idea in people's heads that it's "wrong". I think people are entitled to a good quality of life and we should do what we can as a society to ensure that -- including giving us the right to choose when we die. And censoring our news when reporting suicide may also be the right thing to do, who knows?
>suicide, and it's in the archives if anyone wants to read a good summary of her thoughts on the topic... Interesting in this context.
I read her posts... I can only imagine how painful it must be for you to go through the archives.
Jon
poster:JonW
thread:5764
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020510/msgs/5807.html